Director of Development, Major Gifts

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Alumni Affairs and Development is a dedicated team supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas.

Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work; and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. We strive to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation; and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work.

AA&D is comprised of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, Advancement Communications, Events & Donor Relations (ACEDR), University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Director, a full-time exempt position on the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Major Gifts team, will report to, and work in partnership with the Senior Executive Director of Development to lead, mentor, and manage a team of gift officers in the Boston region. As a member of the Major Gifts leadership team, the Director will be responsible for determining overall strategy for the region along with internal and external execution of an engagement plan. This role will also be responsible for coordinating a portfolio of internal leadership activities such as staff training, fundraiser goal setting, review of regional prospect assignments, strategic planning, donor engagement strategy, and other activities as assigned. This position informs decision making and is responsible for carrying out policies and strategies, and modeling best practices as a leader, fundraiser, and colleague.

The Director’s experience and knowledge will be critical in expanding the ability of fundraisers to form creative strategy development as they combine the FAS’ priority needs with donor interests and desire to make an impact. The position’s formal reporting line will be focused on an assigned region and securing gifts across the major gifts scale. This includes gifts that are in the range of $500K - $24.9M, with a keen eye toward blended solicitations involving flexible support, gift planning vehicles, and the potential for complicated asset involvement. The Director will be expected to develop and implement an annual regional plan that impacts FAS Development and expands philanthropic support across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The Director will lead a small team of fundraisers that play a critical role in the FAS’ ability to raise six-, seven- and eight-figure gifts to support the priorities of the FAS Dean of Arts and Sciences and the region.